Editor's Note: June 2006

As we gathered stories for this month’s edition of Running Times, it became known around our offices as the "Adam Chase issue." First, we scheduled our annual summer trail shoe review, which Chase researches and writes, drawing on his extensive expertise in trail-related products through his firm, "Boulder Field Testing LLC." Then he interviewed Andy Jones-Wilkins, this year’s heir-apparent at the Western States 100, for our monthly "Hit the Trails" section. What sealed the issue’s nickname, however, was when he took the assignment to run and report on a unique new race in Costa Rica, "The Coastal Challenge Expedition Run," and we decided his article would be our cover story, stamping his style on the issue from front to back.

We’re proud to have Chase as part of our team, as one of the leading experts on trail running in the U.S. Co-author of the Ultimate Guide to Trail Running and president of the All American Trail Running Association, he has extensive personal experience on the trails at all distances, and in locations quite literally around the world.

The Coastal Challenge took place in January 2006, coinciding with Chase’s 40th birthday. This age milestone has been accompanied by a move back to more pure trail running from the extensive multi-sport adventure racing he had been doing the past few years. "Partly it is not wanting to handle the hassle of multi-sports, multi-teammates, multi-day, multi-country of adventure racing," Chase say. "Plus, I found that during adventure races I really looked forward to and enjoyed the trail running segments the most."

Chase sees his personal preference as reflective of a larger trend as well, with expedition-length adventure racing on the decline, but more and more people hitting the trails. "Trail running is much more accessible and democratic," he says. "It is great to just be able to show up and race."

Race he does, and well. In the Coastal Challenge, for example, he was in second place overall at Day Five, before a foot injury sidelined him for the last two sections. Three weeks after his return, however, he won the Boulder Triathlon Club 30K trail race. Despite his continued racing prowess, he reports that he is less into the competition than before, or at least he now does it "more for the right reasons." He says, "Now I’m more out there doing my best, enjoying running, not trying to beat someone else." Trail running seems the perfect venue for such a Zen-like approach, and it seems likely that Chase will continue to do his best near the front of trail races for years to come.

If your preferred venue for doing your best is the road or track, don’t despair. You’ll find plenty in the pages to come for you as well. Pete Pfitzinger continues his "Essential Ingredients" series in his "Lab Report" column with a thorough analysis of tempo runs and how they best fit into every training program. You can choose a summer or fall marathon from our marathon guide; believe it or not, it is time to firm up a date and lay out your 18-week training plan. And, you’ll find motivation in the race reports, profiles, and insightful perspectives on the running life from our columnists.

I hope you enjoy the "Adam Chase issue" as much as we enjoy Adam Chase, and that some of his joie de vivre will enthuse your running this month.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.